FAQs

[work in progress]

General FAQ’s

Q: When and where is the pilgrimage?
A: The CA pilgrimage takes place Friday 21 August to Friday 28 August 2026, and is centered around Lourdes, France. 

Q: Who is eligible to join as a pilgrim, helper, nurse or doctor?
A:

  • Pilgrims: individuals wishing to journey with the CA, including those needing assisted care.

  • Helpers: volunteers who support pilgrims (logistics, mobility, hospitality).

  • Healthcare team (nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, HCAs and healthcare students): qualified professionals who will support the assisted pilgrims and general cohort.
    You’ll need to fulfil any role-specific criteria (see roles section on CA website). 

Q: How do I register to participate?
A: You register your interest or apply via the CA’s “Join Lourdes 2026” link on our website.

Q: Who can I put as a referee?
A:

  • A Priest

  • Your School Chaplin

  • Your Year or Work Team Leader

  • Anybody in a position of responsibility able to comment on your suitability to be a Pilgrimage Volunteer

Q: What costs or arrangements are involved?
A: Costs typically include travel, accommodation, pilgrimage contribution, etc. You have the option of travelling with the CA’s travel agent (Tangney Tours) or travelling independently. If you travel and stay with Tangney Tours, your travel, accommodation and pilgrimage contribution will be included in your fare.

Q: What should I bring / what should I prepare?
A: Standard pilgrimage kit includes:

  • Valid passport (check expiry, visas if required)

  • Travel insurance / medical insurance

  • Any required medication (for healthcare roles: standard equipment, if provided or needed)

  • Appropriate clothing for varying weather in the mountains / pilgrimage sites (rain gear, comfortable shoes)

  • A spirit of service and readiness to support fellow pilgrims

  • *Link packing list 

Final Practicalities & Tips

  • Pre-pilgrimage briefing: Attend the CA’s briefing sessions (online or in-person) so you’re prepared for the week.

  • Medical/Insurance: Ensure you have suitable travel & health insurance, and carry details of your own practitioner and health history.

  • Team spirit & flexibility: Pilgrimage work is communal and often requires adapting to changing schedules (mass, processions, travel). A flexible, service-oriented mindset is key.

  • Respect for pilgrimage culture: The environment in Lourdes is spiritually focused, with many processions, prayers, communal worship — please respect the pace, dress codes and traditions of the CA and Lourdes.

  • Self-care: Helping others and being ‘on the move’ for a week can be tiring. Helpers, nurses and doctors should also take time to rest, hydrate and look after their own needs so they can serve well.


FAQs for Volunteer Helpers

Q: What will my role as a helper involve?
A: As a helper you may:

  • Assist with mobility needs of assisted pilgrims (wheelchairs, pushchairs)

  • Assist lodging/hospitality (rooms, meals)

  • Support in group movement (processions, journeys to sites)

  • Provide companionship, guidance and a caring presence

Q: Do I need special training or prior experience?
A: While formal healthcare training isn’t required for “helper” roles, you should:

  • Be physically capable of standing/walking/moving on uneven ground

  • Be comfortable assisting others in mobility/access tasks

  • Be willing to attend preparatory briefing sessions (pre-pilgrimage training)

  • Have good interpersonal, compassionate service skills

  • You will be required to complete Safeguarding training. 

  • You will be required to complete a DBS check. 

  • New helpers or those with new DBS’s will be required to provide two references. 

  • New helpers will also need to attend a training day. 











FAQs for Nurses & Doctors (Healthcare Team)

Q: What prerequisites do I need to join as part of the healthcare team?
A: You will typically need to provide:

  • Clinical qualifications and registration/licensing (nurse licence, doctor’s licence in your jurisdiction)

  • Professional indemnity / malpractice insurance or coverage for the pilgrimage period

  • Immunisation and health screening as required by CA or local French regulations

  • A willingness to serve in a pilgrimage environment (which may include working in mobile clinics, assisted living accommodation, and travel days)

Q: What kind of medical work will I do?
A: The healthcare team will:

  • Provide care for assisted pilgrims (basic nursing/medical monitoring, first aid, medication administration)

  • Support the logistics of medical needs (mobility aids, hydration, minor treatments)

  • Interface with local Lourdes health-facilities if needed

  • Be part of emergency/incident response (should a pilgrim need urgent care)

Q: How is patient privacy and safeguarding handled?
A: The CA has safeguarding policies (for vulnerable pilgrims) and clinical governance frameworks. As a healthcare professional you’ll adhere to the CA’s safeguarding protocols, French health-system interface, and your own professional obligations. (Check CA’s “Safeguarding” page). 

Q: What equipment and support will I have?
A: The CA provides a structure and some supplies (depending on role). You may need to bring your own stethoscope/medical kit. Ensure clarity ahead of time on what the CA provides vs what you must bring.

Q: What about language and local cooperation?
A: As Lourdes is in France, the primary language may be French though many pilgrimage staff speak English. Healthcare team members should be comfortable working in a multicultural environment, possibly with translation support.









FAQs for Assisted Pilgrims and Pilgrim Participants

Q: What does “assisted pilgrim” mean?
A: An assisted pilgrim is someone who requires extra support (mobility assistance, medical supervision, etc) to fully participate in the pilgrimage. The CA arranges helpers and healthcare teams to help them accordingly.

Q: How do I apply as an assisted pilgrim?
A: Choose the “Assisted Pilgrim” option under Role(s) on the CA form and answer the required questions. Once you have submitted your form, you will be contacted by the medical team for more information.

Q: What if I have a special medical condition or disability?
A: On registration you’ll be asked to complete a medical screening so the CA can plan for appropriate support (helpers assigned, accommodations, healthcare oversight). It’s best to be transparent about requirements so safe and dignified participation is arranged.























FAQs for Young Helpers


Q: What will I do?

A: 

Young helpers do a mixture of different duties to assist with the various needs of pilgrims:

  •  Rolling - this is helping people attend the various services/events of the pilgrimage, or to visit shops and cafes etc. This typically involves pushing wheelchairs or accompanying Pilgrims as they are rolled by family/friends. 

  • Accueil - the Accueil is a medically assisted accommodation that is similar to a hospital ward and is where our pilgrims who need medical assistance stay. Teams will typically work 2 accueil shifts, which can include jobs like: making beds, cleaning, helping people wash and dress, and getting people out or into bed.

  • Companionship - whether rolling or in the Accueil, the most important job you will have is providing companionship to the pilgrim you are helping!


Personal Care: The Accueil includes assisting with personal care, such as washing and dressing. Young helpers under the age of 18 will not assist with personal care jobs and personal care is voluntary for everyone. Instead, your time will be focused on other jobs!



Q: Where will I stay and what is the accommodation like? 

A: The young helpers group are housed together in the same hotel, which creates a great sense of community. The stay is full-board: three meals a day provided and each room has its own en-suite bathroom.

Young helpers share rooms, usually with one or two other helpers, however there is a single-room additional charge if you’d rather room on your own. If you know other people attending you can also request to room with them.



Q: Can I come on my own? 

A: Yes! Absolutely. You will meet other young helpers at the airport before we all fly to Lourdes together, so there will be friendly faces right from the start. Young helpers work in teams (usually around 5-10 people), so you won’t be working alone, and can get to know people in a smaller group-size which is really nice. The wider young helpers group is also very social, often congregating for a song (and often a dance too) around a piano in the evening, so there are lots of opportunities to get to know people in Lourdes who soon become firm friends!



Q: Do I have to be Catholic to be a helper? 

A: There is no requirement to be Catholic (or religious at all) to be a young helper with the CA - everybody is welcome. Though it is worth noting that you will attend Catholic services (e.g. masses) throughout the week with those you are helping (our assisted pilgrims), and need to have respect for the views of others. 



Q: What Can I Expect? 

A: Lourdes is an exciting, fulfilling place, but it can also be a tiring one. Shifts are split fairly between teams, with ‘off duty’ rest time inbuilt, but you will still do lots of steps per day! Helpers should come with an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to work hard and try new things. 



Q: What do I need to pack?

A: Uniform:

Two sets of uniforms are provided for you. Helpers have the choice between a dress and a polo shirt

  • Dress - The dress has two well sized pockets that can fit a phone or even a water bottle. They are a looser fit, allowing you space for bending and moving without worry. They also mean you do not have to worry about packing trouser options for the week.

  • Polo Tops - More relaxed fit and allows you to choose what you wear with the top to match the weather and job you are doing that day. HOWEVER, you will need to make sure you pack enough options of trousers/shorts/skirts to wear with it. The spiritual centre of Lourdes (called the Domaine) operates like any Catholic church, meaning you are not allowed to wear shorts or skirts that fall above the knee. This means you may be turned away when entering, even if you are assisting a pilgrim. This is worth keeping in mind when packing so you can bring a suitable range of options.


Socialising:

When you are not on shift, or in the evening after you are done for the day you are allowed to wear whatever you like. Free time is often spent socialising, visiting cafes and shops or even exploring the old town. As long as you are not entering the Domaine, you are allowed to wear regular skirts, shorts and dresses. Most evenings end with all helpers socialising in one of the hotels in town - there is no expectation to dress up but helpers often like having the opportunity to dress up a bit after being hard at work!


Shoes:

When on shift it is advised to not wear open toed or strappy shoes that can come off easily and do not provide coverage to your heels. 

You will be on your feet and walking a lot so trainers are the best option during the day. You are welcome to wear whatever you want in your spare time and in the evenings, however it’s best to avoid heels or any shoes that can be uncomfortable or cause blisters. 

 

Extra:

A small bag (especially a cross body bag) or a backpack are useful to bring with you so you can carry a phone, water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, wallet, and souvenirs etc. whilst also keeping your hands free during the day!

Weather appropriate accessories - Lourdes is often hot but can also have thunderstorms due to its location in the Pyrenees! When you are rolling you will not be able to hold an umbrella and push a wheelchair so having a coat or poncho with a hood is best for if it rains. Likewise, it can be a really hot week so don’t forget a hat and sunglasses.